Web Design/Information Architecture Challenges

Creating the information architecture for a site sounds like a science (and some people do study it as a science!) but for our purpose as Web Designers we just want to learn how to structure the information on a website to maximise the target users ability to find what they want.

Using whichever tool you choose, for each challenge you will need to carry out the following tasks:

Identify (or clarify) the business goals of the website.

Identify and clarify the target audience. You may choose to create one or two [personas] for your primary target audiences.

Identify the [user's goals] for the website (what the user needs to be able to do). These will relate to the business goals.

For each of the user goals and/or site goals, brainstorm the content requirements with the client (or your facilitator) and other team members. For the purpose of these challenges you should end up with a list of 15-20 content items.

Using Card-sorting technique or otherwise, group your information requirements into related topics that will help you target audience achieve their goals when using the website.

Create labels for your groups that are clear, consistent and intuitive to your target audience.

Document your site heirarchy using a sitemap.

Create a prototype navigation system (on paper!) based on the information architecture.

Test your website navigation system with others, using your target audience (and any personas or scenarios that you created), and adjust your information architecture as needed.

Each challenge will provide different bits of information, you'll need to work together to brainstorm the rest!

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